This is Matchbox's Phantom with a few tweaks . It uses Aeroclub landing gear and Exhaust , Hasegawa missiles and rails added to the kit pylons , quickboost seats and Xtradecal decals for a 19 Sqn Phantom . Paint is Mr Color and Tamiya . Airfix ... Please do a Spey Phantom in 1/72 ! I promise I'll never ask for anything else .....

Surprised to find no other builds of this classic, but the Matchbox reference drew a blank. In 1978 Four FAA Phantoms of 892 NAS (HMS Ark Royal) were assigned to the USS Constellation for a month of exercises and Four USN Phantoms were hosted aboard the Ark Royal. At the end of the exercise the US Navy hosted the FAA contingent (incl ground crew) for a 4 day visit to New York. When the FAA crews returned aboard the Constellation they were shocked to discover that their Phantoms, that had last sported a FAA Blue finish, were now wearing US Navy Grey. The FAA crews elected to pretend that nothing had happened, but knew that somehow they must play a return joke on their hosts. The following day the FAA Phantoms took off to return to the Ark Royal with their crews a little bit frustrated that they has been unable to even the honours. They need not have worried. As a finale to the exercise the Eight exchange aircraft were to fly over the Constellation and Ark Royal in formation. Broad smiles quickly spread across the crews of both sets of Phantoms as the aircraft moved into formation and it became clear that as well as Four FAA Phantoms in US Navy Grey there were also Four US Navy Phantoms in FAA Blue.

Good work Alex. In real life one of the FAA's Phantoms was zapped during cross decking having pre war US stars applied and the legend Colonial Navy over a scrubbed out Royal Navy title. What make is the truck in the picture?

Thanks, Tom. I love the whole history of zapping and inter service pranks, especially those with NATO and other Allies. The truck is made by "Base-Toys Ltd." and is reference "D-99". If you type into ebay "Base Toys RAF" it brings this up plus other finishes that must be quite new. This may have cost me!